Fifteen deaths that happened in Tuscaloosa County during 2012 have been confirmed as overdoses. Toxicology reports have not been returned in 25 cases, but Baker said he expects that most of them will confirm an overdose.

Most overdoses involve multiple drugs, Baker said. Combinations of methadone and oxycodone are common, he said.

“The majority of our cases involved prescription medication, but in the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in deaths where heroin is the factor,” he said.

<p>A Duncanville man was found dead Friday after what police suspect was a heroin overdose.</p><p>The man, 28, died at an apartment at The Woodlands off Hargrove Road, said Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson. </p><p>“We have seen an increase in heroin use over the last couple of years in Tuscaloosa among college-aged students,” Anderson said. </p><p>Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit Capt. Loyd Baker said that his unit investigated 25 confirmed overdoses in 2011. </p><p>Fifteen deaths that happened in Tuscaloosa County during 2012 have been confirmed as overdoses. Toxicology reports have not been returned in 25 cases, but Baker said he expects that most of them will confirm an overdose. </p><p>Most overdoses involve multiple drugs, Baker said. Combinations of methadone and oxycodone are common, he said. </p><p>“The majority of our cases involved prescription medication, but in the last few years, we've seen an increase in deaths where heroin is the factor,” he said.</p>